Sacramento State cheerleader Lindsay Eskildsen is gracing thecover of the current issue of American Cheerleader while leadingthe Hornet cheerleading squad to unprecedented heights.

It is the pinnacle of what has been a thrilling yet demandingcheering career.

“It was very exciting,” Eskildsen said of the honor.”I just felt really proud to represent Sac State.”

At the College Cheerleading and Dance Team NationalChampionships in January, Eskildsen, a 22-year-old communicationsmajor with a minor in marketing, helped lead the Sac State squad toa second place Division I finish, their best ever.

This performance followed top five finishes the previous twoyears, cementing the Hornet’s position as an eliteprogram.

The impressive finish was not the only accolade Eskildsen wouldreceive in Orlando, however.

In addition to the competition airing on ESPN, Eskildsen’ssolo efforts drew the attention of the judges, who invited her toapply for “Cheerleader of the Month” honors in anupcoming issue of American Cheerleader, a nationalpublication.

The panel was so impressed, they awarded her a $1,000scholarship, as well as the cover of the October issue with anaccompanying article.

But cheerleading has given Eskildsen much more than a magazinecover and an appearance on television.She cites many reasonsfor her love of cheerleading.

“The main thing is the confidence I’vegained,” she said of the sport she has devoted five yearsto.

She has also learned to become self-motivated, as cheeringrequires countless hours of extra time in addition to herclasses.

Having participated in gymnastics for 12 years, her cheerleadingcareer would also develop other important skills.

“Gymnastics is more of an individual sport, so I had tolearn teamwork and to trust my teammates,” she said.

That trust is mandatory in a sport that is inherentlydangerous.

Difficult pyramids and tosses are the norm for any team and eachmember must place their trust on one another.

“There is always that 1 percent when you’re notsure, and that’s where the trust comes in,” shesaid.

Eskildsen has put in the time and effort to help build a topprogram at Sac State, which does not provide cheerleadingscholarships, unlike other universities.

While she is fighting to take the Hornets to the top, she isalso fighting the stereotypes that often accompanycheerleaders.

She says that while her fellow college students are prettyenlightened and supportive of her, there are still perceptions thatirk her.

“One big thing that bothers me is that people don’tthink we’re athletes,” she said. “I don’tthink people realize how much effort we put in.”

Eskildsen also wants us to know that the cheerleaders are doingmore than just cheering for the boys.

“We aren’t just cheering for the teams.We are,but we are also out there competing against other squads, as wellas ourselves,” she said.

And what about those other squads? Might we soon have a NationalChampionship team?

Eskildsen, now a senior, is already thinking about the 2004Championships, and one more chance.

“Our squad has so much talent it’sunbelieveable,” she said. “I really think we can go outand win it.”

The Sac State squad will look to secure a bid to the UCA CollegeNationals in January.